Page 43 of Pitcher Us
Adam reaches for her door handle. “I bet the first round that her door is unlocked.”
I’m about to tell him I don’t make stupid bets, or drink for that matter, but I don’t get the chance because Callie swings her door open and jumps back when she notices us. “Shit, what are you guys doing out here?”
“We’re waiting on you,” Adam replies, which thank goodness, because I’m at a loss for words.
Callie looks beautiful. I mean, she’s always beautiful, but tonight she’s got this gorgeous short brown dress on and her hair is pinned back half up, bringing all the attention to her freckled face.
“Adam, I told you I wasn’t going tonight,” Callie shoots back, and all my hopes of spending time with her tonight die.
“Yeah, I thought that meant you didn’t want to go, not that you couldn’t.” The question comes to me the moment it does to Adam. “Where are you going?”
Callie’s eyes dart quickly from her brother to me before looking down at her boots. No, just no. I need her to say that she made some new girlfriends and she’s going out with them right now, because?—
“I’m just going out,” she mumbles.
Fuck me.
“Out with who?” Adam continues, completely unaware of how much I don’t want to hear this.
A date? A fucking date.
Callie’s eyes dart up toward me and for a brief moment, I think I see regret in her eyes.
Damn it, I want to walk her back into her place, lock her fucking door for once, and fuck this whole “friends” idea out ofher. Fuck her date. Fuck her ex for putting this whole “no dating baseball players” bullshit in her head. And fuck me for even thinking I only wanted to be friends to start with.
“It’s not a big deal, Adam. I’m going to a wine bar. I’ve already shared my location with you and Wyla.”
I’m so beyond tempted to demand she share it with me also, but I know if I have it, I’ll be checking it every five minutes and the need to go find her and pull her away from her date might not be something I can hold back on.
Adam pulls out his phone, clicking on her name to double check that he can see her location. “I know you don’t need my permission to go, Cals, but I have to at least ask the questions.” Adam shrugs it off as he shoves his phone in his pocket like it’s nothing and to him, I guess it is. But, damn it, would it kill him to be the asshole brother just one time? Tell her no. There’s no telling who this guy is and what could happen. She doesn't need to go on this date with whatever dickhead she met. She should come be with me instead. Maybe I should tell her that?
But as she looks at me and bites at her lips to keep from talking, I know I can’t say any of that. As much as I want her to be mine, the fact is she’s not and I have no right to tell her what to do.
“Right.” I nod, swallowing down everything I wish I could say. “Call us if you need us.”
“Sure,” she whispers. “I forgot my jacket, but you guys can head down. My Uber should be here in about five minutes.”
She doesn’t wait for us to answer before shutting her door and disappearing back into her place.
Adam pats my back. “Let’s go, first round’s on you.”
“Dude, I’m the designated driver, and I don’t drink.”
“Well make your drink whatever you want, your money still spends just the same.”
Annoyed already, I pull out my phone in the elevator and against my better judgment, I text my sisters.
She’s going on a date tonight.
Reagan
Bet you wish you would have pulled your head out of your ass a month ago.
Lucie
Don’t kick him while he’s down Rea. Sally and Harry both dated before they got together. There’s still hope.
This isn’t a movie.
